Trump Administration Proposes Changes to H-1B Program

The Trump administration wants to reform a popular American work visa program.

The Department of Homeland Security released a proposal Friday that would increase the number of H-1B visa recipients who have master’s degrees or higher level degrees and would move the registration process online.

The government has been working to crack down on the H-1B program â€” a result of President Donald Trump’s direction that agencies implement a “Buy American, Hire American” strategy.

The H-1B visa is a work visa that’s valid for three years and can be renewed for another three years. Many companies use H-1B visas to help fill their workforces. But tech is the sector most commonly associated with H-1Bs. Tech firms big and small say they need the H-1B program to hire trained talent that they can’t find at home.